Bay Bulls puffin and whale watching

Listen to the call of 250,000 seabirds and lookout for whales on this marine wildlife boat cruise.

Board your boat for a cruise around the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to over 250,000 sea birds, the world’s largest population of humpback whales, and occasionally wind-chiselled icebergs. Along the way, learn about the wildlife, geology and history of the area from an on-board guide providing commentary throughout.

Once out of Bay Bulls, the boat makes its way through the reserve the four islands there. As you pass by Gull Island, you’ll notice its pockmarked surface, the result of thousands of puffin burrows. The puffins also regularly zip by the boat, sometimes getting close enough for you to hear the flap of their wings.

As you cruise along, the crew keep an eye out for humpback, fin and minke whales, making sure you have the best viewing spot each time. Listen for the gentle huff of breath as they come up for air, and look for a flick of the tail or a plume of water shooting from a spout.

Scenery and wildlife will depend on the season. The puffins arrive in early May to have their young, staying in large numbers until mid-September. The whales arrive from mid-June, staying until the end of September to feat on capelin. Between May and June, there are sometimes large icebergs floating around the bay, the brilliant white contrasting with the deep blue water.